Guillermo Alvarez Bariatric Surgeon MD

I had a wonderful trip to Mexico, Dr Alvarez and his staff was WONDERFUL! I had little to no pain and my recovery time has been great. I am now 4 weeks out and eating solid food well. Getting ready for a fill!! If anyone has any questions about this dr or his staff plase feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]

October 5, 2008rnOK, here goes.rnrnI was 60 years old and 290 pounds. I had to ask myself, “How many 70 year old men do I see on this earth who weigh 290 pounds?” My guess was that there were very few. My grandchildren are two years old and seven months old and I really want to see them grow up. For me, dieting had been hit and miss, mostly miss. Blood pressure medications side effects made it difficult to exercise. I needed something that was permanent and irreversible. My wife, Janis, did the research and found the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.rnrnDr. Alvarez’ credentials were outstanding and the package offered in Mexico was very complete and attractive. We had no concerns at all about having this surgery done in Mexico. Our experience coming to San Antonio and then across the border to the hospital for the surgery and recovery were pleasant and right on schedule as advertised. We found Dr. Alvarez, his staff, and the hospital staff very helpful and knowledgeable about all of the things we would encounter pre and post operation. We highly recommend Dr. Alvarez, this location, and this procedure for anyone for whom the Gastric Sleeve is an option.rnrnOur experience in Mexico was simply excellent. I had virtually no pain or nausea that was not handled by the medication given me. My wife was able to stay in my room with me for the two days recovering in the hospital. Since the surgery at the end of June everything has gone exactly as we were told to expect.rnrnI am still 60 years old and my surgery was just over three months ago at this writing. I have lost 54 pounds so far. My rate of loss has slowed but is a steady 2 to 2.5 pounds per week even now. I have stopped snoring. My energy level is amazingly higher than during the heavy years. My blood pressure is better controlled now but I have not yet had my blood pressure medications re-evaluated. I have not stepped up to an exercise program yet, other than walking to work, but will when the blood pressure meds re-evaluation is done. I did not have any diabetes or cholesterol issues before the surgery.rnrnI am almost never hungry these days. I am free to eat what I want and when I want but it has become very easy to stick to a reasonable eating plan. I have had to learn a few eating skills. For me eating anything fast creates an immediate boomerang effect in that whatever I ate quickly will want to escape. I have a pretty good idea now as to the volume of foods I can handle because of my smaller stomach. The key to success is being very deliberate at meals to not be the first one finished. As I pace myself with reasonable sized bites and lots of chewing I can finish my four ounces at about the same time as others finish their normal sized meals. In my mind I am content with the possibility that these new eating restrictions will apply for the rest of my now extended life.rnrnI have no idea where the weight will level off but I have a goal set for myself which I do not see coming until maybe nine to 12 months after surgery. But I am so very happy about the results in the last three months. We have retired a lot of baggy clothes from the pre-surgery days. We have resurrected a lot of clothes I wore 10 years and more ago. I have told my family no new clothes until Christmas. I am looking forward to a new wardrobe. rnrnThe decision to go ahead with the Sleeve is one of the best decisions we have ever had to make. I have known that the secret to long-term weight loss was “change of lifestyle”. The Sleeve has force me willingly into changing my lifestyle and I am now pretty certain will see my grandchildren grow up.rnrnDan W.rnSan Diegorn

I haven't met Dr. A yet, but thats ok because susuan his coordinator has been by my side for such a long time. I cant wait to have my surgery on Thanksgiving 2008

Dr. Alvarez is a warm man with excellent bed side manner...He's an excellent surgeon and I could't be happier that I chose him!

El doctor Alvarez ha sido uno de los doctores mas amables que he tenido en mi vida. Muy profesionalmente, me explico todo el procedimiento de la operacion, nunca tuve duda de su capacidad como cirugano y despues de casi 8 meses de mi operacion puedo decir que pondria mi vida en sus manos en cualquier momento con la misma confianza con que lo hice la primera vez. Todo el personal del hospital me atendio muy bien, siempre respondieron a mi llamado con una sonrisa y dispuestas a ayudarme. Para mi El Dr alvarez es el mejor cuando a la operacion vsg se refiere.

Dr. Guillermo Alvarez is great!! He truly treats you as if you are his only patient. He is very attentive to your needs and takes care of whatever it is. His team or staff is exceptional, they are so sweet and it was great getting to know them. I have nothing bad to say about Dr. A, he is even really good looking!!! I give him a A++++++!!!!!

I have nothing bad to say about the surgeon. He was very patient with me, and that is not an easy thing. He has excellent bedside manner and he didn't kill me.rnrnI wish that there would have been an English speaking nurse at night and that I would have gotten one of the newer rooms. But neither of those affected my treatment or actual surgical experience. I would have been in just as much post-op pain in a new room. :)rnrnAnd yeah, he is pretty cute and he smells nice.

I had a wonderful experience, I read and then reread everything I received from Susan and then talked extensively with Dr. A and Dr. R, everything for me was text book perfect. rnrnDr Alvarez did a great job on Me!rnrnI was able to resume my normal activities on Thursday. My surgery was Monday! To me the experience went so well at times I thought I was dreaming. The hospital was charming, the nurses very professional. Know about 8 words in Mexician, but NO troubles communicating with the night nurses at all. rnrnThe only problem I had was my IV did infiltrate and had to be removed, but since it was 7:30 the next day, I did not have to have it redone. rnrnI would recommend Dr. A Mexico to others in my situation - where no insurance coverage for the VSG.

My first impression of Dr Alvarez was that he seems to be a very genuine and compassionate soul that loves helping others gain a new lease on life. He had a very positive and calming energy. I knew that I was in very good hands. His office was very nice as well as his staff. I felt very informed going into my surgery. He checked in on me several times a day during my stay, and gave very thorough post op teaching. He made sure that we knew that he considers his patients \"family\" and that he encouraged contact during recovery and afterwards.He let us know that we could call anytime that we wished to speak to him. I have nothing but praise regarding my care.

I think he and his staff are the best you could ever ask for! Everything about my experience there was PERFECT! I would do again just to get to see them all! Dr.Alvarez is #1 in my book!!